University Leaders Collaborate to Plan for the Future

Second annual Leadership Summit opens discussion to lead into planning efforts

Houston Mayor Bill White, right, joins UT Health Science Center
at Houston President James T. Willerson, M.D., at the Leadership
Summit. White received a standing ovation after he gave the
keynote address, praising the university’s “remarkable” leadership,
responsiveness and collaboration in setting up and running the
George R. Brown Convention Center clinic for Hurricane Katrina
evacuees. Photo by Ester Fant

A positive, constructive spirit was in the room when about 200 university leaders, representing all units of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, gathered in October at the second annual Leadership Summit.

The summit’s interactive format encouraged comments, questions and collaboration in looking ahead to the future of the university.

“Your participation in today’s proceedings is critical,” said UT Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D. “The future of this university is bright – if we make up our minds to work collaboratively. I will remind you that the courageous men and women who forged the frontiers of this great country made a habit of circling their wagons and shooting out – not in. That is what I ask of you today.”

Gary Rosenfeld, Ph.D., assistant
dean for educational programs
and professor of integrative
biology and pharmacology, UT
Medical School at Houston: "This
year's Leadership Summit was
much more positive and upbeat
than the one last year. I was
particularly impressed by the
willingness of administration to
listen to the concerns and
suggestions of the attendees. I
anticipate seeing a list of action
items and specific strategies
designed to foster the highest
levels of institutional pride,
achievement, and national and
international recognition."
Photo by Ester Fant

The program included several presentations from executive leadership, who briefed participants on strategies to advance the institution and on progress toward the goals of the university’s Compact with the UT System for fiscal years 2006 and 2007.

Kim Dunn, M.D., Ph.D., associate
dean for academic affairs and
assistant professor, UT School of
Health Information Sciences at
Houston, and graduate, UT
Medical School at Houston and
UT School of Public Health: "As
an alumna of the institution and
now one who has the privilege to
serve on the faculty, I was proud
of our institution. Much was said
about how UT came together,
broke down barriers, and just did
whatever it took in support of
Katrina/Rita evacuees. That spirit
of cooperation and collaboration
permeated the event. It is my
hope and belief that this
collaborative spirit will continue."
Photo by Ester Fant

A highlight of this year’s summit was a Round Table discussion of six questions concerning key strategic issues and opportunities (see “Questions for the Future”). All attendees had an opportunity to share their perspectives, and executives from administration and the deans of the health science center’s six schools formed a panel to respond to round table reports.

Themes that emerged included: concerns about institutional image and a lack of marketing, diversity, balance, innovation, communication, collaboration, leadership, and excellence.

“The many ideas and thoughts expressed at the Leadership Summit will serve as important background information for the development of the strategic plan,” said L. Maximilian Buja, M.D., executive vice president for academic affairs, who is leading an effort to build on the Compact process. “As the strategic plan is developed, opportunities will be provided for further input from the health science center community,” he said.

The invitation-only summit included representatives of the faculty, administrative and professional staff, Student InterCouncil, Faculty InterCouncil and University Classified Staff Council, along with fellows of the Academic and Administrative Leadership Development Program.

Questions for the Future
At the 2005 Leadership Summit for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, each table was asked to discuss two of the six questions listed below. How do we define health in the context of the UT Health Science Center at Houston? What is distinctive about the UT Health Science Center at Houston? What are our core values? What opportunities do we have in the coming years? What are the critical factors that could keep us from advancing the mission and vision of the university? What five things do we want to be known for among our constituents? Designated table facilitators compiled the responses in a report, which was presented to all the participants during the afternoon session.

Questions for the Future

At the 2005 Leadership Summit for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, each table was asked to discuss two of the six questions listed below.

How do we define health in the context of the UT Health Science Center at Houston?
What is distinctive about the UT Health Science Center at Houston?
What are our core values?
What opportunities do we have in the coming years?
What are the critical factors that could keep us from advancing the mission and vision of the university?
What five things do we want to be known for among our constituents? Designated table facilitators compiled the responses in a report, which was presented to all the participants during the afternoon session.

By Ina Fried, Public Affairs